We're now just outside of 24 hours until tomorrow's trade deadline, and it's already been an active day for the Nationals. Jerry Hairston was traded to the Brewers for minor-league outfielder Erik Komatsu. That left a void on the Nats' bench, so they've recalled Brian Bixler from Syracuse. (For those wondering about Roger Bernadina, you must wait 10 day to recall a player after optioning him, unless he's replacing an injured player.)

Meanwhile, Jason Marquis is scheduled to start tonight's game against the Mets. Unless, of course, he's traded before then. What are the odds of that happening? Well, enough that the Nationals have flown Yunesky Maya in from Syracuse to stand on-call just in case they need an emergency starter for this game. (Maya was supposed to start tonight for Syracuse, which is why he got the call over Tom Milone or Brad Peacock.)

Suffice it to say, everyone's in standby mode here at the ballpark, just waiting to find out what will happen next. Check back here for all your updates throughout the afternoon and evening…

For those who like to speculate, it's being reported the Yankees inquired about Span. Since their OF is set, it's possible it's part of a larger deal. Last week it was reported Clippard could be sent to the Yanks and today it was reported that we wanted to send Clipp to MN for Span but they insisted on Storen, which we did not want to do.

They must have a deal ready for Marquis, hope he pitches tonight, but if I were the team dealing, I'd want him rested so he could fold into the rotation. So, prepare for the Mayan adventure. Anyone who doesn't want their bobblehead, I'll take it off your hands for $1, the price of Wil Nieves. Seriously, I am not a Werth hater, but I'm not paying full price for it either.

Brett Gardner? Bit of a temper?From ESPN:Brett Gardner #11 LF New York Yankees 2011 STATS GM102 HR4 RBI21 R53 OBP.362 AVG.281 Brett Gardner saved his best swings for once the game ended. After striking out to end the game as the potential winning run Friday night, Gardner violently slammed his bat twice into the ground, breaking the bat on the second time.

If Cllipard leaves, there goes half the bullpen. I don't think Span is anything special while Clippard is an All Star. Seems to me a one for one is more than enough without having to throw in Bernardina. The Twins say they won't accept just a set-up man for Span but you can bet they are going to use Clippard as their closer.

gonatsgo said… Zim actually almost argued with the ump last night. I am not looking for any seriously volatile guys on the team, but a little fire might be nice at this point.I'd like the Cards or DBacks to come to town so we can get in a brawl. That'd wake everyone up.

The twins are fools if they use Clip as a closer. (Remember we tried that). Clip is not a closer, he is not a "setup man", he is a STOPPER. More valuable than a closer who comes in for bases empty ninth inning.

Natslady,I have one I will sell you for $40. If anybody is stupid enough to sell you one for $1. They should not be Nats fans anyway. (Just too stupid they should head up to Baltimore) You can fetch $15 easy for a bobblehead no matter who the player is. Werthless or no Werethless.

Anon @ 4:42 said: "I'd like the Cards or DBacks to come to town so we can get in a brawl. That'd wake everyone up."—————Since the bad blood with the Diamondbacks included — if I remember correctly — Jason Marquis beaning Justin Upton, a brawl with Arizona the next time they're in town could prove quite amusing, even ironic. We could well see Marquis, wearing his new Diamondback uniform, fighting with his ex-Nat colleagues over a pitch that he himself threw while wearing a Nationals uniform.

After my first trip to the park in months, I think I have PTSD from Wang's first inning.Haven't seen a laser show like that since Paul McCartney at Capital Centre. 'Course, "whiplash" Maya just might top it now that Marquis is heading to the desert.Given that Span is still rehabbing the concussion, I'm surprised that Rizzo would leave CF so thin in the interim, if Denard is the guy. I hope they can get something done without giving up Storen.It still seems it would make sense to ship Desmond (and Norris?) in an Upton deal and bring up Lombo. With Rendon coming, you've gotta figure that Desmond is the odd man out, eventually.

No one could seriously think the Nats were going to contend this year at this point in the season. Marquis wasn't going to be here next year anyway. I don't understand the people who complain that Rizzo's throwing away a season that's already gone.

Ummmm….a single A INfielder for Marquis? I thought he was a bigger bargaining chip! And that we were already rich in infielders. Help me understand. Starting the mint maalox juleps early over here. Someone give Natslady a bobblehead please,

They got nada. This is a classic salary dump. As was the Hairston deal. Mike Rizzo is worried about payroll for 2011 — so far, he is doing NOTHING to make this club any better going forward. The Phils just added Pence for years to come, while Mike got us a comparable though somewhat older Werth at $126M last year. Anyone in here who is not related to Rizzo by blood still feeling so grand about his skill and vision to make this club a winner? He's terrible.dfh21

No, don't give me a bobblehead, that would be proof of stupidity according to one of the anons. I must be stupid because I got an extra Frank Howard last year and gave it away.We were lucky to get Marquis' salary paid, not to mention a player. He's walking at the end of the year and not even a type B free agent so we were getting nada.

So here again in the end of July for now the 6th straight year all I feel is sadness and depressed. None of what I see happening is giving me any hope. They were falling down and all of these trades look so desperate to me that it feels as if the FO had really no plan for this team. It again is all reaction. There is a BIG difference between action you plan and make adjustments as you go and action based on magic or adjustments to circumstance. Sorry if this does not meet the happy happy joy joy standard but if you have postitive view please come on with it. But just saying good times will come does nothing.

Zach Walter, switch hitter, can play 3B plus SS, high school in Vegas but could not find any Harper connection, 2 years at U San Diego, All WCC as a sophmore, looks like the best position player from Azizona's low-A team.

Marquis is not a type B free agent, a notoriously poor second half pitcher, and has already started to regress. What do you people think he could fetch? Are you going to be upset when Todd Coffey doesn't get us Denard Span, too?

Him not being a Type B means nothing as no club was going to offer him arb anyway, becasue he would take it and earn something north of $8M. His value is as an extrxtrme groubdall SP innings eater with playoff experience. Pardon me for being underwhelmed by the move as more than one club sniffed around on him in a serious way (or so it is reported) and I am guessing, just a wild guess, that the Nats could have gotten more had they agreed to eat some of his salary. dfh21

dfh said "…I am guessing, just a wild guess, that the Nats could have gotten more had they agreed to eat some of his salary."—–Interesting thought. I'm perfectly fine with this trade, and with the other moves Rizzo made this week. I ain't joyous about them, but fine with them.But this thought of dfh21, that maybe we could have gotten more if we ate some salary….that's gonna stick with me. It's got a ring of legitimacy to it.

I really don't care if he's weakening this year's team. It doesn't matter whether we finish 3rd or 5th. Everything points to 2013 when Stras has a year under his belt, Harper is in the OF, Rendon is at 2nd and we have a stockpile of young players in the minors to deal for a legit #3 starter.

Totally agree with Natslady, too. And while I like Hairston, he isn't someone we were going to build a winning team around. I'm fine with the trade if just to open up a spot for Bixler or Lombardozzi to get a chance.

I know we are not contending this year – really , I do – but we had a time that was so golden for a while, it just made you think that it might be possible. It's hard to give up on that and come back to earth. Things have been falling apart and now the trades feel like further erosion. I know in my head that they are probably good for the long term, but it's hard to watching the losing again , day after day. I don't want to hear rebuilding, even if it is necessary. I guess as a previous poster suggested – the curly W does stand for "wait".

anybody saw this tweet:JimBowdenESPNxm JIM BOWDEN Twins insisting on STOREN without substitution.. along with Bernadina and Lombardozzi in package for SPAN…both sides grinding #TRADESWith Lombardozzi, that would be a lot to give up. Hope something else would come from twins.I think Nats can afford to trade storen because they could sign a guy like H. Bell in off-season.

ExposremainsSounds fishy to me. That would be raising the ante from what's been reported–or rumored–before, and it seems clear that's a deal Rizzo would never do. Got to wonder if it isn't some kind of bluff or intentional misinformation.

Regarding the notion of trading Storen, Bernadina, and Lombardozzi for Span:In negotiations theory, there's something called the BATNA — the best alternative to a negotiated agreement — and you should know what your BATNA is before you ever begin the negotiation. Often your BATNA is simply to walk away without a deal. In this case, I would argue that Mr. Rizzo should walk away quickly.

CB in DC – this is not happy happy joy joy but I still enjoy a ball hit to SS that has to be fielded and thrown to get the batter by less than a full step. I enjoy a great throw from the outfield to a cutoff man who then wheels and hits the catcher on the fly to get the runner at home. I actually enjoy a double switch when it helps keep a pitcher in the game. I just love baseball. Now, have we been playing well – obviously not, but this is the best team we have had here in awhile and its not a great team but they play hard. I can choose to enjoy the game and my hometown team or I can choose to bitch about every little thing. I chose to enjoy baseball. I hate that we lose more than we win and I loved that brief spurt that took us to .500. Its gone but if we can get to 75+ wins its 3 years of improvement and things have to get beter with Strasburg/Harper/Peacock/Milone etc.Davey -you have nailed it – since 1950 my Senators/Nationals have not only been lousy, they have been taken away from me twice!! I honestly don't know how to root for a winner but I will still root for MY TEAM -it was one thing to root as a ten year old but as an AARP guy its surprisingly the same. I just enjoy the game and hope we do well.By the way, have never seen Maya so efficient but I am guessing when he goes through the lineup a 2nd time it will be different – hoping I am wrongGo nats

I could be mistaken, but I remember Maya's delivery differently from what I'm seeing here. He's hiding the ball more, I think. And did he always come from behind his ear like that? Whatever, it seems to be working. Only three innings, but he's got a … ummm, good thing going so far.

Let me second sjm308's approach to appreciating baseball. Enjoy the individual plays, enjoy the strategy, and enjoy the wins when you get them.Let me also add one more 'enjoy' to your list: I really, really enjoy watching knuckleball pitchers (I grew up watching the Niekro brothers), whether or not they're on my team. Sometimes they're great, sometimes they're awful, sometimes they're lucky, and sometimes the breaks don't go their way. But they add a nice element to the game.

This is absolutely the best I have seen Maya but we all know that he tends to have difficulties the 2nd and 3rd time around. Hope he has figured things out. He is certainly not nibbling which is what I hated when I saw him the last time. Rizzo just said Wang told him he was more nervous last night than in his World Series starts. Except for Werth, who else has played in the World Series on this club?

Eugene – wanted to add another "enjoy" and sometimes he drives me crazy, but when Livan is dealing, its almost better than a knuckleballer. That 65 mile an hour curve is a thing of beauty when it fools the batter. Lately, not so much.Maya through 4 with a shutout! Here we go!!

Eugene – this has nothing to do with baseball but one of the best times in my life was driving up from San Francisco along the coast to Eugene or whatever the college town is with the Ducks for a mascot, and then heading inland to Salem Oregon with the swim coach from Southern Oregon in his porsche convertable. I was in my early 30s,divorced and life was good.

Rizzo interview on tv – did we hear him say that the twins were asking too much? I know it was doublespeak – but he said you don't want to create a lot of holes you can't comfortably fill. Am I just hoping that's what he said. This is washington dc – you have to read between the lines when people speak.

"Like some cult religion that barely survives, there has always been at least one but rarely more than five or six devotees throwing the knuckleball in the big leagues. Not only can't pitchers control it, hitters can't hit it, catchers can't catch it, coaches can't coach it, and most pitchers can't learn it. The perfect pitch." ― Ron Luciano, former AL umpire, perhaps a bit self-serving by leaving out the "umpires can't call it" part.

sjm308: Yes, Eugene is the home of the Ducks (Univ. of Oregon).Given Rizzo's comment to the effect that he wasn't going to create multiple new holes in the line-up in order to fill the hole in CF, it will be instructive to learn whether both Clippard and Storen are available tonight.

@gonatsgoI was thinking he was sending a message to the Twins. I also think the Twins would like a little payback for the Ramos trade. They came across as really desperate for a closer then, just as everyone is interperting Rizzo and a centerfield this year.

Gonatsgo @ 8:12: That's the message I heard loud and clear. Left unsaid, however, was whether the negotiations were continuing or had broken down. If both Clippard and Storen pitch tonight, I'd read that to mean that the talks are off. If one is held back…D's Nats @ 8:14: Great quote! Thanks.

wow – just heard from the original "sunshine Bobby" that Maya has only gone 6 innings twice in his major league career. I would have thought he could do better. Its not like he uses lots of energy in his pitching motion.

sjm308 said… This has to be Maya's last inning – I also would love to see if Clip and Storen are available – Mark'd is right on with Detwiler now warming up July 30, 2011 8:25 PM Steve – This is what I have been talking about with Davey. Mark'd called it while Maya was on-deck and he isn't the manager.Davey should have lifted Maya in the 5th for a pinch hitter and start clean with Detwiler.

I'd certainly hate to lose Storen, both the player and the person. Class act, so it seems. But I figured I would do a quick Twitter search on Denard Span to see what Twins fans thought of him. They are not happy he is even being dangled out there and don't seem too happy with their GM. This is a good link which I thought you all might enjoy as we try to get further information about Span…http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Mackey_Why_trading_Denard_Span_would_likely_be_a_bad_decision073011From that info, I am much more excited about the prospect of a deal with him in it.

This is what I predicted with Detwiler at the beginning of the season that if he got a spot in the bullpen and knows he is doing short work he would ramp up to 95 MPH to 96 from his normal 93 when he was a starter.

Steve M – I actually remember that post and you are spot on so far – also pleased to see Davey with the short hook and look who it is!!! Clippard! Guess we have him for at least one more night.Guess if I had to be totally honest, I would not mind seeing Clippard dealt if it brought us a starting CF'r. I also am totally fine with Tyler staying here for the next 5 years.Go Nats

Davey's Navy said… Whoa, did I just see that? (back up, stop, slow motion review) Yes, indeed. Michael Morse reached down as if to grab that ground ball on his way past short. That's not cool. After Morse hit his double Wright made a throwing motion to second, presumably to get Morse to dive back into the base..the ball was in his glove..tha might have made Morse angry..i saw a play the other day when it was first and second and one out and there was a ground ball to short..the runner paused to let the ball go through..why not RUN INTO THE BALL? save the team an out.

Yes I heard that,BallstonNat, but am not really surprised given our current streak. I wonder as others do as to the true feelings in the clubhouse. Hopefully we get some of the kids and their excitement up here to help recharge the others.Very nice job by Detwiler, it is his turn for success.

sjm308 said… Steve M – I actually remember that post and you are spot on so far – also pleased to see Davey with the short hook and look who it is!!! Clippard! Guess we have him for at least one more night.Guess if I had to be totally honest, I would not mind seeing Clippard dealt if it brought us a starting CF'r. I also am totally fine with Tyler staying here for the next 5 years.Go Nats July 30, 2011 8:55 PM Thanks. I am a small ball guy so I like the idea of a stealth bullpen. I don't want to see anyone go but if the Twinks are willing to take Storen straight up for Span, so be it.I wouldn't throw in Lombo or The Shark and I think Rizzo should stay firm and let it play out as it may.

dj in Fl. said… Yes I heard that,BallstonNat, but am not really surprised given our current streak. I wonder as others do as to the true feelings in the clubhouse. Hopefully we get some of the kids and their excitement up here to help recharge the others.Very nice job by Detwiler, it is his turn for success. July 30, 2011 9:00 PM Teams that are sellers approaching the trade deadline can have a negative vibe all of a sudden in the clubhouse with the guys on the trading block being nervous, and add a losing streak and a few slumping guys and you now have a negative clubhouse.The good news is that Monday things will be different. This has been a good clubhouse amongst the players before the last week. I think Jerry was upset he didn't get an extension to his contract as he thought he earned it. I guess he thought wrong.

So we have Maya and Bixler in tonight, they have to be excited. Do we have one more move to make?, or are we at 25. Not sure this is the roster that can get us to 78 wins but I am loving this game so far.Big out getting Reyes to start the 8th!Wow,35,000 – nice crowd as well agree with my namesake that we don't need to send 3 players for Span – also agree with Natslady way back on the fact that I would rather have Clippard than Storen five years from now.

keep clip and store! let them play on a good team next year with stras and harp! they've paid their dues for the last two yearsloved carpenter's comment about hairston – "three airports he can leave from"gyfng

Here's a further point on a closer, the off-season will have plenty of Free Agent closers. Also, the Meyer kid who they drafted may be the perfect closer. Matteus may be closer material too.I would rather trade Storen over Clippard.

Knuckles, junkballers…. I LOVE seeing them flustered the Big Boys. One of my favorites, was Moyer, against Frank Thomas, at the peak of his powers, when Jamie was with the O's. Struck him out, THREE times… Had Frank talking to his bat, on the way back to the dugout!!Hmmmm, Maya pitches well, Werth goes yard, on a full count, NATS win, and the Neganons call it an early night. SO predictable…..

baloney — I fully confess that I thought Maya would get lit up! I am thrilled to have been wrong and don't mind saying so. I am sure that I am not alone. Unfortunately he is going on the DL, though. Pretty much stinks for him. And I guess – for us ,too, now.

It sounded really loud in the last inning – I would have thought that a lot of the crowd was Mets fans, but everyone seemed to be trying to help Drew get that last out. It also didn't look like a lot of people left. They just had to stay and watch the Nats win one.

Nice win tonight. Am happy for Maya (but not for the injury) and especially for Werth. After his dinger I said to my husband that it would be great if he had a good night, the runs held up so that they won the game, and he was the player of the game. After it all came true, my husband said maybe they should have a bobblehead night for him every night. Sooo not nice. ;-)Also noticed the FP comment on Hairston and was wondering the same thing as what Steve M said, that maybe he'd been hoping for an extension. Also on a trade note, some classy comments both from and about Marquis on the postgame show, I thought.

Davey's Nats. What else? said… Correct me please if I'm wrong, but I get the distinct inpression not many here have ever rooted for a good team.Speaking for myself — I have rooted for plenty of good teams. I was a Mets fan for 30 years or so. I saw the Mets arise from the ashes of really awful teams in the early 1980's to end up being a terrific team in the mid to late 1980's (with Davey as manager, natch).Building a good team takes time, as well as a lot of skill, patience, big-picture thinking, as well as a decent amount of luck. You really do never know which draft choices will pan out (Mike Piazza was drafted in the 62nd round!)The other difficulty is that you are competing with 29 other general managers, most of whom also know a whole lot about baseball, and who are also scheming, day-after-day, to try to build a better team. A fan can't just say "why doesn't the team get X" — you need stuff to get stuff, and the other team wants as much as they can get.If improving a team was anything less than difficult, then all 30 teams would be improving each year — a mathematical impossibility if you measure by wins and losses.Short story is this: I've seen what it takes to build a team up. I've seen what improving teams look like (as well as what crumbling teams look like). And the Nats — looking big picture (meaning: including their entire farm system) — look like an improving team. It ain't going to be easy. A whole lot of "can't miss prospects" will look good even in AAA and suddenly will not be able to hit major league pitching, or get out major league hitters.But any sensible baseball fan — if forced at gunpoint to bet: are the Nats on the way up or on the way down — would bet that they are on the way up. "baloney" up above said "everything points to 2013". He's right. Anybody can sell pieces to get more wins for this season — it takes a good GM to plan for years into the future. But it has to be done.(A note to sjm308 and others — your writings of why you love baseball are superb. I'm with you 100% on that. I strongly recommend Joe P's article in Sports Illustrated on this very topic. I don't know if it's online — I've only seen it in the print edition).

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/126466043.htmlSpan trade talk from a Twins reporter. Rizzo needs to hold firm on 1 player in the deal and if it is meant to be it will happen. With Buster Olney saying that Rizzo is acting desperate does not bode well for his reputation.I think Rizzo did good on the Hairston trade but not so much on the Marquis as I felt he was a player to get a contract extension.The Maya injury will certainly complicate the issue.

Just to add to my point above on Zach Walters and why I didn't like the Marquis trade is that Walters is an error machine. For a guy playing A ball that averages 1 error in every 4 games is not worth the trade.This Marquis deal seems like another example of Rizzo making a trading "just because". Why not hold on to Marquis and make a run at a winning record?

DC Wonk – thanks for the nice wordswhat a shame that Maya will now go on dl but doesn't this mean we might get to see Peacock – loved pretty much everything tonight – Clipp was masterful and Storen took care of business and I loved his interview after the game – not sure I have seen him before but he was extremely engaging and I like his style – would not want to lose either after what I heard tonight.where are we with the 25 man roster right now?Bixler replaced Hairston, I am guessing Maya replaced Marquis so I am guessing there is just one spot open. Am I missing anything?